My Valentine’s Day dates were good. They were hot. They were … my parents.

Tweet

This was one of my Valentine's Day presents last year from my parents. It's a trendy lunchbox. So thoughtful.

My Valentine’s Day dates are going AWOL this year.

That’s right. I’m a lucky girl.

Last February, I had TWO people take me out on that special holiday that celebrates love through candy, flowers, gifts, and entire grocery store aisles filled with pink merchandise.

They were the best dates ever. They paid. Opened doors. Picked me up at my apartment.

You guessed it.

They were my parents.

Last V-day, I had lived in York for one whole month. My parents just assumed, naturally, I wouldn’t have a date for the special day, so they came to my rescue, complete with presents of pink things and fancy coffee.

They made the assumption because,  well, I’ve somehow managed to be single every single Valentine’s Day of my entire life. Imperfect timing, I guess.

They probably figured that, if they didn’t take me on a faux date, I’d spend the night home alone. Or worse — home alone eating junk food and having a pity party.

But they were kind of wrong. I’ve learned to love Valentine’s Day. I loved exchanging cards in elementary school. I buy a lot of candy hearts around this time, so I can eat them all year round. I love pinks and reds, and the happiness that warms that one cold day in February.

But this year will be different. This year, I’m losing my dates.

They decided to go out … *GASP*… with each other instead — minus the third wheel. Me.

Imagine that.

I mean, they are married and all.

And it’s nice to see them finally enjoying each others company, sans kids.

I told them I’d be just fine, but I’ll miss them a little.

In college, I had friends (and I was guilty of this, too) who would go through entire boxes of tissues if they didn’t have a Valentine’s Day date. My parents, on the other hand, wouldn’t tolerate that crap. Truthfully, it’s pretty pathetic.

I had to learn that Valentine’s Day, even in your 20s, doesn’t have to revolve around traditional romance.

It can be about other kinds of love.

And it doesn’t hurt when your “dates” are just as snarky as you are, making jokes and guessing what awkward couples are on first dates while you order another basket of breadsticks at the Olive Garden.

Ah, memories.

Tweet